Each element is given the chemical symbol of its atom. H is the symbol of the hydrogen atom O for oxygen. Chemical symbols are usually one or two letters long.Every chemical symbol starts with a ...

White dwarfs typically have hydrogen and helium in their atmospheres, and heavier elements like oxygen, neon, and magnesium are found in a pool of these light elements. Also, stars that have these ...

Metals react differently. Some are very reactive and others are unreactive. Find out more with BBC Bitesize. For students between the ages of 11 and 14.

Using this data, the researchers found that one particular white dwarf, with the eloquent name ­­SDSS J124043.01+671034.68, ... making oxygen the lightest element in the star’s atmosphere.